Lacina Traore is likely to be sidelined for two months but will remain at Everton in the hope he can play a role during the last few weeks of the season.

The on-loan striker suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury before the Blues defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago.

It had been feared he would require surgery and Roberto Martinez was ready to terminate the 23-year-old's loan and send him back to Monaco if that was the case.

But further review of his complaint and talks with the French outfit's medical staff confirmed he can still figure for the Toffees this campaign.

And with the chance Martinez's men, who are still in the FA Cup and have a game in hand in the league, will have a hectic run-in to the season, it is believed that retaining the Ivorian's service could be worthwhile.

Martinez said: "He should be back in the next seven to eight weeks so it's not the end of Lacina at Everton.

"We're excited about that and he's delighted. He was in the dressing room devastated at Stamford Bridge after the warm-up.

"Now he wants to show he's ready to help the team and if he can participate in the last two or three weeks of the season it will be a major bonus."